leaf

1. one of the expanded, usu. green organs borne by the stem of a plant.

2. any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.

3. leaves collectively.

4. a sheet usu. of paper, esp. as part of a document, one side of each sheet constituting a page.

5. a thin sheet of metal: silver leaf.

6. a lamina or layer.

7. a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a tabletop.

8. a single strip of metal in a leaf spring.

v.i.

9. to put forth leaves.

10. to turn pages, esp. quickly (usu. fol. by through): to leaf through a book.

v.t.

11. to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine.

Idioms:

1. in leaf, covered with foliage; having leaves.

2. turn over a new leaf, to begin anew; make a fresh start.

[before 900; Middle English leef, lef, Old English lēaf, c. Old Saxon lōf, Old High German loub, Old Norse lauf, Gothic laufs]

leaf′less,adj.

leaf

(lēf)

Noun

A flat, usually green plant part that grows on the stem and takes in carbon dioxide and sunlight to manufacture food by photosynthesis. Leaves consist of an outer tissue layer (the epidermis) through which water and gases are exchanged, a spongy inner layer of cells that contain chloroplasts, and veins that supply water and minerals and carry out food. Some leaves are simple, while others are compound, consisting of multiple leaflets.

parenchyma - the primary tissue of higher plants composed of thin-walled cells that remain capable of cell division even when mature; constitutes the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruits, and the pith of stems

blade, leaf blade - especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

drop-leaf - a hinged leaf on a table that can be raised and supported by a bracket

segment, section - one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; "a section of a fishing rod"; "metal sections were used below ground"; "finished the final segment of the road"

Verb

1.

leaf - look through a book or other written material; "He thumbed through the report"; "She leafed through the volume"

peruse - examine or consider with attention and in detail; "Please peruse this report at your leisure"

2.

leaf - turn over pages; "leaf through a book"; "leaf a manuscript"

turn over, turn - cause to move around a center so as to show another side of; "turn a page of a book"

3.

leaf - produce leaves, of plants

acquire, develop, produce, grow, get - come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes); "He grew a beard"; "The patient developed abdominal pains"; "I got funny spots all over my body"; "Well-developed breasts"

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